Alan Mays' photos with the keyword: Raphael Tuck

A Halloween postcard addressed to Master Samuel Hauenstein , Lincoln, Pa., and postmarked on Oct. 31, 1912. There's nothing written on the back other than the address. Printed on the other side: "Raphael Tuck & Sons' 'Hallowe'en' Series of Post Cards No. 174."

Buster Brown and his dog Tige on a valentine postcard, circa 1907, by cartoonist Richard F. Outcault (1863-1928). For another Buster Brown valentine, see Here's a Wireless Telegram—Be My Valentine . "I want you to be my valentine. It doesn't seem to be a secret. R. F. Outcault. Raphael Tuck & Sons, Limited. London, Paris, New York, Montreal."

A Halloween postcard addressed to Mrs. Chas. Studt, Lilly, Pa., and postmarked at Conemaugh, Pa., Oct. 29, 1910. Handwritten message on back: "Dear Grandmother, I wish you were down to get some taffy & fudge and nuts. I hope you are well and I will be up soon. Roy. Printed on back: "Raphael Tuck & Sons' 'Hallowe'en' Series of Post Cards No. 174." For another postcard sent to the same person in 1910, see Halloween—Witch with Jack-o'-Lantern .

A Halloween postcard addressed to Mrs. C. Studt, Lilly, Pa., and postmarked at Conemaugh, Pa., Oct. 31, 1910. Handwritten message on back: "With love, from Kit." Printed on back: "Raphael Tuck & Sons' 'Hallowe'en' Series of Post Cards No. 174." For another postcard sent to the same person in 1910, see Halloween—Witch with a Black Cat on a Pumpkin .

Here's a wireless telegram That I will send to you I'm in love with you—I am I love you 'deed I do Be my valentine. R. F. Outcault Cartoonist Richard F. Outcault (1863-1928) featured Buster Brown and his dog Tige—both of them winking and smiling—in this valentine from 1904.

A snowman carries a small Christmas tree in this wintry night-time scene from an early twentieth-century postcard.

A 1908 Tuck postcard with an apparently cannibalistic Thanksgiving scene of two turkeys pulling on a wishbone .

A witch holds her broomstick tightly as she rides in the back seat of a watermelon car driven by a wide-eyed veggie creature. A black cat sits next to her, and a bat flies above. A date of "Oct. 31st, 1908" is written on the other side of this postcard, which was published by the British firm of Raphael Tuck & Sons and issued as part of its popular Halloween series 150 .

Addressed on the back to Miss Anna Witmer, York , Pa., R.F.D. #12, but there's no stamp or postmark. Message: "From your Aunt Annie." In this surreal scene from a Halloween postcard by publisher Raphael Tuck, a witch, black cat, and some devils fly out of the top of a creepy jack-o'-lantern centerpiece as children cower in the background. See below for some other Tuck Halloween postcards.

"The wee bit of shamrock we all love so well. Erin's Isle." Printed on the back of this postcard: "Raphael Tuck & Sons' Post Card Series No. 157 The Emerald Isle." Postmarked Portland, Maine, March 15, 1914, and addressed to Mr. Cou M. McCarthy, Tunnel, Broome County, N.Y. Handwritten message: "3-15-14. Dear Friend, I received your welcome letter and I will write to you in a few days. Alex Gibson."

"A simple little shamrock that grows on Erin's Isle." Printed on the back of this postcard: "Raphael Tuck & Sons' Post Card Series No. 157 The Emerald Isle." Postmarked Newport, R.I., March 17, 1909, and addressed to Mr. Harrison Barker, 26 Third St., City.

Message on the back of this postcard: "Wish you a Merry Halloween from Isabelle." Addressed to: Howard Knicley, Brookville, Pa., R.F.D. No. 2. Postmarked: Punxsutawney, Pa., Oct. 27, 1909. Printed on the back: "Raphael Tuck & Sons' 'Hallowe'en' Post Cards, Series No. 160." In the scene on the front of this Raphael Tuck & Sons postcard, anthropomorphic apples jump into a wooden wash tub filled with water to initiate bobbing for apples on Halloween. Here are some other colorful Tuck Halloween postcards:

"Oh! Goodness! This must mean--'tis Hallowe'en!" Printed on the back of this postcard: "Raphael Tuck & Sons' 'Hallowe'en' Series of Post Cards, No. 188."

"May your Hallowe'en be weird and witchy." Printed on the back of this postcard: "Raphael Tuck & Sons' 'Hallowe'en' Series of Post Cards, No. 188."

To My Valentine 'Tis a lemon that I hand you And bid you now "skidoo," Because I love another-- There is no chance for you! In the early twentieth century when this postcard was printed, to "hand someone a lemon" meant--often with humorous or joking intentions--"scram," "beat it," or--in the terms of the fad it was associated with--"skidoo" or "23 skidoo." For other postcards that make the connection between lemons and 23 skidoo, see the Lemons (NOW37) section of the 23 Skidoo Postcards Web site. How do you interpret the scene on this card--is the woman handing the lemon to the man, or has the man just given the lemon to the woman?

What means this shoe so very new? Why, "23" skidoo, skidoo! But if you'll be my Valentine, This shoe, my love, will not fit you. The "23 skidoo" fad--a joking way to tell someone to "scram" or "get lost"--was popular in the 1900s and 1910s. For an amazing compilation of information regarding the fad, see the 23 Skidoo Postcards Web site. Postmarked: Newark, N.J., Feb. 13, 1909. Sent to: Mr. Miles Tarbell, Groton, Tompkins County, New York. Message: Yours sincerely, Belle D.

To My Valentine A lobster I am and always will be; But won't you have pity and please marry me? The early twentieth-century meaning of "lobster" was similar to today's " sugar daddy ." -------- Postmarked: Richland Center, Pa., Feb. 13, 1912. Sent to: Miss Lizzie Krout, Lansdale, Pa. Message: Guess.

"Teach him to hold the flag holy and high for the sake of its sacred dead." Postmarked Harrisburg, Pa., July 2, 1909.